Major Group: Local Authorities
Local Authority statement during the Rio2012 PrepCom II
Delivered by Susanne Salz, ICLEI – Local Governments for
Sustainability, on 7 March 2011
Thank you, Chair.
Today, over half of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, it
will likely be 2/3rd as urbanization and population growth will continue.
Already today, the 100 largest urban areas of the world alone contribute
30% to global GDP. In OECD countries 85% of GDP is produced in
cities. It is therefore clear that a global transition to a green economy
will not happen without shifts from current urban economies to green
urban economies.
Local Authorities urge the UN member states to consider these facts in
their deliberations. Rio1992 included Agenda 21 and Local Agenda 21.
We recommend that the Rio2012 outcome on a Green Economy
includes a section on Green Urban Economy. Numerous Local
Governments and Cities around the world are taking innovative actions.
Many more could do so if they were better enabled and supported by
international frameworks, national governments and other actors.
Local and subnational governments can be a crucial part of the global
transition to a Green Economy, and many are already making it happen
on the ground. We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance
ecological services and minimize environmental risks. Urban density,
and land-use, the construction of buildings, as well as urban utilities of
energy, water, and waste systems can be improved to reduce resource
use and energy consumption. Social opportunities arise as cities start to
benefit from cleaner urban environments and improved living conditions.
This is just to name some of the numerous examples of the roles of
Local Governments and of cities in a Green Economy.
Urbanization is an issue the world of the 21st century needs to deal with.
Local government, as the corresponding level of government, is at the
forefront of dealing with many of the challenges and opportunities rapid
urbanization brings. Rio2012 offers an opportunity to create a more
coherent global framework on this matter. Urbanization can be linked to
Green Urban Economies. How Urbanization and Green Urban
Economies can be linked and to what extent depends on the local
circumstances.
What is clear is that Local Governments and Cities have a crucial role to
play in the global transition to a Green Economy.
Delivered by Susanne Salz, ICLEI – Local Governments for
Sustainability, on 7 March 2011
Thank you, Chair.
Today, over half of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, it
will likely be 2/3rd as urbanization and population growth will continue.
Already today, the 100 largest urban areas of the world alone contribute
30% to global GDP. In OECD countries 85% of GDP is produced in
cities. It is therefore clear that a global transition to a green economy
will not happen without shifts from current urban economies to green
urban economies.
Local Authorities urge the UN member states to consider these facts in
their deliberations. Rio1992 included Agenda 21 and Local Agenda 21.
We recommend that the Rio2012 outcome on a Green Economy
includes a section on Green Urban Economy. Numerous Local
Governments and Cities around the world are taking innovative actions.
Many more could do so if they were better enabled and supported by
international frameworks, national governments and other actors.
Local and subnational governments can be a crucial part of the global
transition to a Green Economy, and many are already making it happen
on the ground. We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance
ecological services and minimize environmental risks. Urban density,
and land-use, the construction of buildings, as well as urban utilities of
energy, water, and waste systems can be improved to reduce resource
use and energy consumption. Social opportunities arise as cities start to
benefit from cleaner urban environments and improved living conditions.
This is just to name some of the numerous examples of the roles of
Local Governments and of cities in a Green Economy.
Urbanization is an issue the world of the 21st century needs to deal with.
Local government, as the corresponding level of government, is at the
forefront of dealing with many of the challenges and opportunities rapid
urbanization brings. Rio2012 offers an opportunity to create a more
coherent global framework on this matter. Urbanization can be linked to
Green Urban Economies. How Urbanization and Green Urban
Economies can be linked and to what extent depends on the local
circumstances.
What is clear is that Local Governments and Cities have a crucial role to
play in the global transition to a Green Economy.